Automatically actuated sound apparatus

ABSTRACT

A new and improved automatically actuated music apparatus includes an infrared wave transmitter unit mounted on a door and also includes a music generating unit placed in a room which automatically receives infrared waves transmitted from the door-mounted wave transmitter unit when the door is opened. The door-mounted wave transmitter unit transmits waves in a predetermined wave pattern as the door is opened, and the wave receiver assembly of the music generating unit is positioned in the room so that the wave receiver assembly automatically receives activating wave energy from the door-mounted wave transmitter unit when the door is opened. The door-mounted wave transmitter unit is switched on when a door lock assembly is unlocked in an authorized manner, such as by a key. The door lock assembly is mounted on the door, and a transmitter actuator assembly, attached to a portion of the door lock assembly, actuates the door-mounted wave transmitter unit. The door lock assembly may be mounted in a first housing portion. The door-mounted wave transmitter unit is mounted in a second housing portion. The transmitter actuator assembly projects from the first housing portion through a slot into the second housing portion for actuating the door-mounted wave transmitter unit. The transmitter actuator assembly is operated by a spring bolt in the door lock assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices whichproduce music, and more particularly, to a device for automaticallyproducing music upon the occurrence of an activating event.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is well known to use various activating events for automaticallystarting electronic devices. Many of these devices are security devicesthat are automatically actuated upon the occurrence of an event. Many ofthese devices are associated with a door lock. For example, thefollowing U.S. patents disclose electronic security devices associatedwith door locks: 4,438,426; 4,893,852; 5,019,812; 5,029,912; and Des.299,905.

Generally, security devices operate in the following manner. When anunauthorized act takes place, an alarm device is automatically actuated.When an authorized act takes place, no alarm is actuated.

However, a person may wish certain acts to take place automatically uponan authorized entry through a door. More specifically, a person may wanta light to be lit automatically when a door opens during an authorizedentry. In addition, a person may want music to begin when a door opensduring an authorized entry. In this respect, it would be desirable if adevice were provided which automatically activates a desired occurrencewhen a door is opened during an authorized entry.

One specific kind act that may be desirable to take place upon theoccurrence of an authorized entry through a door is the playing ofmusic. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were providedwhich automatically begins the playing of music when a door is openedduring an authorized entry.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,852, different forms of wave energyare conventionally used in security systems. However, it would bedesirable, instead, to employ wave energy to initiate a specific kind ofact upon the occurrence of an authorized entry through a door.

When a door is equipped with a security system, in order to prevent theoccurrence of an alarm during an authorized entry through the door, aseries of steps must be often be taken by an authorized entrant in orderto prevent the sounding of an alarm. Often, the authorized entrant mustenter a security code to prevent the occurrence of the alarm. Codes areoften complex and may be easily forgotten. Yet they may be necessary toprevent an unauthorized person from randomly discovering them. Yet, whenthe problem of unauthorized entry is not a problem to be reckoned with,it would be desirable to be able to prevent the automatic occurrence ofan event that would occur upon an authorized entry. In this respect, itwould be desirable if a device were provided which permits theprevention of an automatic occurrence of an event when a door is openedin an authorized manner without using coded information.

When a person first opens a door to enter a dwelling, such as a house oran apartment, the person may like to hear a musical sound emanating fromthe interior of the dwelling. This means that the act of opening thedoor should remotely actuate a music generator in the interior of thedwelling.

Remote communication between one location by another is carried out byeither a hard wire link or a wave energy link. A hard wire link takes upspace, may be tripped over, and may fatigue and break with continuousand repetitive use. In this respect, it would be desirable if a devicewere provided which avoids the use of a hard wire connection between thedoor and the music generator.

A wave transmitter can communicate with a wave receiver without using ahard wire link. Such wave communications are used for communicating overlarge distances, such as by radio and television stations; and they arealso used over short distances, such as for remote controls oftelevisions and video cassette recorders. In addition, wavecommunications may be employed between input/output devices and centralprocessing units in computer systems. Because of the advantages of awave energy link, it would be desirable if communication between a doorof a dwelling and a music generator in the interior of the dwelling beeffectuated by a wave energy link.

When a door to a dwelling is opened, a two-step procedure generally iscarried out. First, a door lock is unlocked; and second, the unlockeddoor is swung open. To simplify operation of a wave energy link betweena door and a music generator, it would be desirable if a wavetransmitter were automatically turned on when the door lock wereunlocked. In addition, to simplify operation, it would be desirable ifthe music generator were turned on automatically when the unlocked doorwere swung open.

Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be wellknown to use alarms actuated by unauthorized entry through a door, theprior art described above does not teach or suggest an automaticallyactuated music apparatus which has the following combination ofdesirable features: (1) automatically activates a desired occurrencewhen a door is opened during an authorized entry; (2) automaticallybegins the playing of music when a door is opened during an authorizedentry; (3) employs wave energy to initiate a specific kind of act uponthe occurrence of an authorized entry through a door; (4) permits theprevention of an automatic occurrence of an event when a door is openedin an authorized manner without using coded information; (5) remotelyactuates a music generator in the interior of the dwelling when a doorto the dwelling is opened; (6) avoids the use of a hard wire connectionbetween the door and the music generator; (7) uses a wave energy link toeffectuate communication between a door of a dwelling and a musicgenerator in the interior of the dwelling; (8) automatically turns on awave transmitter when the door lock is unlocked; and (9) automaticallyturns on the music generator when the unlocked door is swung open. Theforegoing desired characteristics are provided by the uniqueautomatically actuated music apparatus of the present invention as willbe made apparent from the following description thereof. Otheradvantages of the present invention over the prior art also will berendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention,briefly described, provides a new and improved automatically actuatedsound apparatus which includes a wave transmitter unit mounted on a doorand also includes a sound generating unit placed in a room whichautomatically receives waves transmitted from the door-mounted wavetransmitter unit when the door is opened. The sound generating unitincludes a wave receiver assembly for receiving wave energy from thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit and a sound generating assembly whichis activated by the wave receiver assembly. Preferably, the soundgenerated by the sound generating unit is music.

The door-mounted wave transmitter unit preferably transmits infraredwaves, and the sound generating unit is activated upon receipt ofactivating infrared waves. The activating infrared waves may beautomatically generated in a coded manner from the door-mounted wavetransmitter unit, and the activating infrared waves are automaticallydecoded in the sound generating unit. A decoder assembly may beconnected between the wave receiver assembly and the sound generatingassembly for automatically decoding coded infrared signals. Thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit transmits waves in a predeterminedwave pattern as the door is opened, and the wave receiver assembly ofthe sound generating unit is positioned in the room so that the wavereceiver assembly automatically receives activating wave energy from thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit when the door is opened.

The door-mounted wave transmitter unit includes a battery power source,an infrared frequency generating assembly powered by the battery powersource, and an infrared wave generating assembly driven by the infraredfrequency generating assembly. An indicator light assembly, powered bythe battery power source, indicates when the door-mounted wavetransmitter unit is activated. The door-mounted wave transmitter unit isswitched on when a door lock assembly is unlocked. The door lockassembly is mounted on the door, and a transmitter actuator assembly,attached to a portion of the door lock assembly, actuates thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit.

The door lock assembly may be mounted in a first housing portion. Thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit is mounted in a second housingportion. A slot is provided between the first housing portion and thesecond housing portion. The transmitter actuator assembly projects fromthe first housing portion through the slot into the second housingportion for actuating the door-mounted wave transmitter unit.

The transmitter actuator assembly is operated by a spring bolt in thedoor lock assembly. The first housing portion and the second housingportion are formed as a unitary integrated housing structure.

The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more importantfeatures of the present invention in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are,of course, additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claimsappended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limitedin its application to the details of the construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis fordesigning other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to definethe invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims,nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention inany way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which has all of theadvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which is of durable andreliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which is susceptible ofa low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, andwhich accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to theconsuming public, thereby making such automatically actuated musicapparatus available to the buying public.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved automatically actuated apparatus which automaticallyactivates a desired occurrence when a door is opened during anauthorized entry.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus that automaticallybegins the playing of music when a door is opened during an authorizedentry.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which employs waveenergy to initiate a specific kind of act upon the occurrence of anauthorized entry through a door.

Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus that permits theprevention of an automatic occurrence of an event when a door is openedin an authorized manner without using coded information.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which remotely actuatesa music generator in the interior of the dwelling when a door to thedwelling is opened.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus that avoids the use of ahard wire connection between the door and the music generator.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus which uses a wave energylink to effectuate communication between a door of a dwelling and amusic generator in the interior of the dwelling.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus that automatically turnson a wave transmitter when the door lock is unlocked.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved automatically actuated music apparatus that automatically turnson the music generator when the unlocked door is swung open.

These together with still other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well asobjects other than those set forth above will become more apparent aftera study of the following detailed description thereof. Such descriptionmakes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a combined wave transmitter anddoor lock of the automatically actuated music apparatus of the inventioninstalled on a dwelling door.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a music generator assembly whichreceives activating waves from the wave transmitter of the embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 1 and generates music upon receipt of thoseactivating waves.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the combined wave transmitterand door lock of the invention shown in the circled region 3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the combined wavetransmitter and door lock of the invention shown in FIG. 3 taken alongline 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of an infrared wavetransmitter used with the invention.

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of a music generator assemblywhich receives activating waves from the wave transmitter and generatesmusic upon activation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a new and improved automaticallyactuated music apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of thepresent invention will be described.

Turning initially to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a preferred embodiment ofthe automatically actuated music apparatus of the invention. In itspreferred form, the automatically actuated music apparatus includes awave transmitter unit 12 mounted on door 13 and also includes a soundgenerating unit 14 placed in a room which receives waves transmittedfrom the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 when the door is opened.The sound generating unit 14 includes a wave receiver assembly 16 forreceiving wave energy from the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 anda sound generating assembly 18 which is activated by the wave receiverassembly 16. The wave receiver assembly 16 includes a photosensitiveassembly 62 (shown as chip U2GP1U52X) and an amplifier 64 (shown as NPNtransistor Q12N3904). The sound generating unit 14 is powered by a 9 Vbattery 66. Preferably, the sound generated by the sound generating unit14 is music.

The door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 preferably transmits infraredwaves, and the sound generating unit 14 is activated upon receipt ofactivating infrared waves. As shown in greatest detail in FIG. 5, theactivating infrared waves are automatically generated in a coded mannerfrom the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12, and, as shown ingreatest detail in FIG. 6, the activating infrared waves areautomatically decoded in the sound generating unit 14.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, signals from the amplifier 64 arefed on line 68 into the decoder assembly 34 which includes decoding chipU3NE567 shown as element 70. Decode frequency is adjustable by varyingthe resistance of the variable resistor 72. The decoded signal from thechip U3NE567 is fed on line 74 to music chip 76 (which is U4SN76477n).The signal from the music chip 76 is amplified by transistor 78(Q22N3904) which drives speaker 80 from which the musical sounds emerge.

An on/off switch 82 is provided to optionally prevent the production ofmusic when the door 13 is opened. For example, a user may plan to returnhome at a very late hour and not want to be welcomed by music. In thiscase, before the person left home, the on/off switch 82 would beswitched to the off position. Otherwise, when music is desired to beplayed automatically when the door is opened, the on/off switch 82 wouldbe switched to the on position. decoder assembly 34 is connected betweenthe wave receiver assembly 16 and the sound generating assembly 18 forautomatically decoding coded infrared signals. The door-mounted wavetransmitter unit 12 transmits waves in a predetermined wave pattern asthe door 13 is opened, and the wave receiver assembly 16 of the soundgenerating unit 14 is positioned in the room so that the wave receiverassembly 16 receives activating wave energy from the door-mounted wavetransmitter unit 12 when the door 13 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 5, the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 includes abattery power source 36. An infrared frequency generating assembly 38,shown as electronic chip U1NE556, powered by the battery power source36, and an infrared wave generating assembly 40, shown as an infrared(IR) emitting LED 40, driven by the infrared frequency generatingassembly 38. The frequency of the infrared wave generation can bealtered by adjusting the resistance in variable resistance resistor 60.The battery power source 36 is housed in a battery housing 86 and isretained in the battery housing 86 by a screw cap 88.

An indicator light assembly 42, powered by the battery power source 36,indicates when the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 is activated.The indicator light assembly 42 is shown as an LED 42. The door-mountedwave transmitter unit 12 is switched on when a door lock assembly 22 isunlocked. The door lock assembly 22 is mounted on the door 13, and atransmitter actuator assembly 24, attached to a portion of the door lockassembly 22, actuates the door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the door lock assembly 22 is mounted in a firsthousing portion 26. The door-mounted wave transmitter unit 12 is mountedin a second housing portion 28. A slot 30 is provided between the firsthousing portion 26 and the second housing portion 28. The transmitteractuator assembly 24 projects from the first housing portion 26 throughthe slot 30 into the second housing portion 28 for actuating thedoor-mounted wave transmitter unit 12.

As shown in greatest detail in FIG. 5, the door-mounted wave transmitterunit 12 includes a switch assembly 48 that is closed by a conductiveportion 50 of the transmitter actuator assembly 24 when the door lockassembly 22 is opened. The door lock assembly 22 also includes a spring52 for biasing the spring bolt 32. A handle 54 is used to retract thespring bolt 32 against the bias of the spring 52.

As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the transmitter actuator assembly 24and the conductive portion 50 thereof is in a non-contacting positionbecause the spring bolt 32 is in the locked position. However, when thespring bolt 32 is moved in the direction of arrow 90, that is when thehandle 54 is pressed down to open the door 13 and pull the spring bolt32 in the direction of the arrow 90, the conductive portion 50 of thetransmitter actuator assembly 24 moves into contact with the switchassembly 48, causing the infrared frequency generating assembly 38 to beactivated, thereby causing the infrared wave generating assembly 40 togenerate its infrared waves. As stated above, the transmitter actuatorassembly 24 is operated by a spring bolt 32 in the door lock assembly22. The door lock assembly 22 also includes a key-locked portion 56which controls operation of a deadbolt 58. The first housing portion 26and the second housing portion 28 are formed as a unitary integratedhousing structure 44.

The components of the automatically actuated music apparatus of theinvention can be made from inexpensive and durable electroniccomponents.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, thesame is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no furtherdiscussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need beprovided.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishesall of the objects set forth by providing a new and improvedautomatically actuated music apparatus that is low in cost, relativelysimple in design and operation, and which may advantageously be used toautomatically activate a desired occurrence when a door is opened duringan authorized entry. With the invention, an automatically actuated musicapparatus is provided which automatically begins the playing of musicwhen a door is opened during an authorized entry. With the invention, anautomatically actuated music apparatus is provided which employs waveenergy to initiate a specific kind of act upon the occurrence of anauthorized entry through a door. With the invention, an automaticallyactuated music apparatus is provided which permits the prevention of anautomatic occurrence of an event when a door is opened in an authorizedmanner without using coded information. With the invention, anautomatically actuated music apparatus is provided which remotelyactuates a music generator in the interior of the dwelling when a doorto the dwelling is opened. With the invention, an automatically actuatedmusic apparatus is provided which avoids the use of a hard wireconnection between the door and the music generator. With the invention,an automatically actuated music apparatus is provided which uses a waveenergy link to effectuate communication between a door of a dwelling anda music generator in the interior of the dwelling. With the invention,an automatically actuated music apparatus is provided whichautomatically turns on a wave transmitter when the door lock isunlocked. With the invention, an automatically actuated music apparatusis provided which automatically turns on the music generator when theunlocked door is swung open.

With respect to the above description, it should be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, form function and manner of operation,assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to thoseskilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims.

While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fullydescribed above with particularity and detail in connection with what ispresently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments ofthe invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat many modifications thereof may be made without departing from theprinciples and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of thepresent invention should be determined only by the broadestinterpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalents.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERSPATENT of the U.S. is as follows:
 1. A new and improved automaticallyactuated sound apparatus, comprising:a wave transmitter unit mounted ona door, a sound generating unit which includes a wave receiver assemblyfor receiving wave energy from said door-mounted wave transmitter unitand a sound generating assembly which is activated by said wave receiverassembly, a door lock assembly mounted on the door, and a transmitteractuator assembly, attached to a portion of said door lock assembly, foractuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit, wherein said doorlock assembly is mounted in a first housing portion, said door-mountedwave transmitter unit is mounted in a second housing portion, a slot isprovided between said first housing portion and said second housingportion, and said transmitter actuator assembly projects from said firsthousing portion through said slot into said second housing portion foractuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit.
 2. The apparatusdescribed in claim 1 wherein:said door-mounted wave transmitter unittransmits waves in a predetermined wave pattern as the door is opened,and said wave receiver assembly of said sound generating unit ispositioned so that said wave receiver assembly receives activating waveenergy from said door-mounted wave transmitter unit when the door isopened.
 3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein sound generated bysaid sound generating unit is music.
 4. The apparatus described in claim1 wherein said door-mounted wave transmitter unit transmits infraredwaves, and said sound generating unit is activated upon receipt ofactivating infrared waves.
 5. The apparatus described in claim 4 whereinsaid activating infrared waves are automatically generated in a codedmanner from said door-mounted wave transmitter unit, and wherein saidactivating infrared waves are automatically decoded in said soundgenerating unit.
 6. The apparatus described in claim 1, furtherincluding:a decoder assembly connected between said wave receiverassembly and said sound generating assembly for automatically decodingcoded infrared signals.
 7. The apparatus described in claim 1 whereinsaid door-mounted wave transmitter unit is switched on when a door lockassembly is unlocked.
 8. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein saidfirst housing portion and said second housing portion are formed as aunitary integrated housing structure.
 9. A new and improvedautomatically actuated sound apparatus, comprising:.a wave transmitterunit mounted on a door, a sound generating unit which includes a wavereceiver assembly for receiving wave energy from said door-mounted wavetransmitter unit and a sound generating assembly which is activated bysaid wave receiver assembly, a door lock assembly mounted on the door,and a transmitter actuator assembly, attached to a portion of said doorlock assembly, for actuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit,wherein said door lock assembly is mounted in a first housing portion,said door-mounted wave transmitter unit is mounted in a second housingportion, a slot is provided between said first housing portion and saidsecond housing portion, and said transmitter actuator assembly projectsfrom said first housing portion through said slot into said secondhousing portion for actuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit,wherein said door-mounted wave transmitter unit includes a battery powersource, an infrared frequency generating assembly powered by saidbattery power source, and an infrared wave generating assembly driven bysaid infrared frequency generating assembly.
 10. The apparatus describedin claim 9, further including:an indicator light assembly, powered bysaid battery power source, for indicating when said door-mounted wavetransmitter unit is activated.
 11. A new and improved automaticallyactuated sound apparatus, comprising:a wave transmitter unit mounted ona door, a sound generating unit which includes a wave receiver assemblyfor receiving wave energy from said door-mounted wave transmitter unitand a-sound generating assembly which is activated by said wave receiverassembly, a door lock assembly mounted on the door, and a transmitteractuator assembly, attached to a portion of said door lock assembly, foractuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit, wherein said doorlock assembly is mounted in a first housing portion, said door-mountedwave transmitter unit is mounted in a second housing portion, a slot isprovided between said first housing portion and said second housingportion, and said transmitter actuator assembly projects from said firsthousing portion through said slot into said second housing portion foractuating said door-mounted wave transmitter unit, wherein saidtransmitter actuator assembly is operated by a spring bolt in said doorlock assembly.